Ruth is extremely excited about collaborating with Russell Cook, owner of Master Works Dulcimers, to design this new model of the Russell Cook Edition (RCE) Dulcimer!

Click Image to Watch Demo Video(watch more videos of this instrument at the bottom of this page)

For a long time, Ruth looked for a smaller instrument to travel with and she’s long admired the Master Works RCE (Russell Cook Edition) instruments.

Russell Cook worked (with Ruth's input) to develop an extended range RCE with the extra low bass bridge on the right side! Extra notes are on the upper left to make a 4 ½ octave instrument in a compact, lightweight body.

The treble and bass bridges were moved closer together which makes valley rolls and other dulcimer moves more fun to play and easier to play more accurately.

Also available is a choice between regular sustain and lower sustain.

This is a terrific instrument for travel, but also for people who need a feature-rich instrument in a more manageable size.

Best of all, this instrument responds to Ruth’s touch, allowing her to accomplish her signature sound. Ruth can work with you to design your own custom version of this great new instrument.

With the rich-sounding and beautiful Russell Cook Edition Extended Range instrument as the foundation, the following features are included:

4 1/2 octave range; from low D2 to high A6.

Extended range: 6 higher notes on left side; 10 lower notes moved to the RIGHT SIDE, making it more intuitive and easier to play those extra low notes.

Customized tuning arrangements available on extended range bridges.

Treble and Bass bridges moved much closer together, making it more fun and easier to play in the valley.

Choice of bridges set-up for regular or lower sustain.

Lightweight and compact, weighing 12-13 pounds!

There are many options for customizing and making this instrument your very own, one-of-a-kind instrument:

Dampers

Internal sealant - keeps the tuning amazingly stable

Choices of soundhole designs, or design your own

Contrasting Wood Bindings

Abalone trim around soundholes, binding, bridge markers

Choice of exotic woods with soundboard custom stained to match

Curly maple pinblocks

Pick-up optimized specifically for this instrument

Custom stand stained to match the instrument

Back stained to match

and more...

Click on instrument photos below for large pictures.

Soundhole Designs Samples

"After years of recommending Master Works instruments to hammered dulcimer players, whether beginners through advanced, I am proud to have worked with Russell Cook to develop this fine instrument. I feel I've found my forever instrument! It has everything I need in a compact, lightweight form that responds to my touch.

Let me work with you to create your own custom, one of a kind instrument - just for you!" - Ruth Smith

CONTACT RUTH:

828-297-1918info@steveandruth.com

NEW!

Steve and Ruth Smith

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Steve and Ruth's music is regularly heard on XM & Sirius Satellite Radio, Pandora, Spotify, Highlander Radio Networks, NPR and acoustic music format radio stations around the U.S. Steve and Ruth have been featured on the PBS TV series Song of the Mountains, NPR’s All Songs Considered and Thistle & Shamrock, in Ohio Magazine, and Dulcimer Players News.